BAGHDAD, Sept. 15 — The followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr will withdraw from Iraq’s leading political alliance, a spokesman for the group said Saturday. (Washington Post — 16 September, 2007)+ related stories

In a sign of its frustration with the government, the movement of the anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr announced it would withdraw from the largest political bloc in Parliament. (New York Times — 16 September, 2007)+ related stories

Lawmakers loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced Saturday they are withdrawing from the Shiite bloc in parliament — a move that would be a major blow to the government’s base in the legislature. (MSNBC — 16 September, 2007)+ related stories

An Iraqi police colonel was gunned down near his home in Afak on Sunday, marking the third government official killed in the Iraqi Shiite town in five weeks, an Interior Ministry official said. (CNN — 17 September, 2007)+ related stories